Middle East, Hamas: ‘Blocking aid to Gaza is extortion’

Cairo (Egypt), Mar 2 (LaPresse) – Hamas accused Israel of trying to obstruct the fragile truce and said its decision to cut off aid was ‘cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the agreement’ of the ceasefire. The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which included a surge in humanitarian aid, expired on Saturday. The two sides have yet to negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas would have to release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel said it supported a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire until Ramadan and Easter, i.e. 20 April. It said the proposal came from the Trump administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. According to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under this proposal Hamas would release half of the hostages on the first day and the rest when a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached.